BKK Jan 2013: Terminal 21 & Last Bits of Random Stuff

When in Bangkok, I have a special preference shopping at night markets than shopping malls. This is also one of the reason why I have yet to check out Terminal 21. Since we had to take the skytrain back from our last cafe adventure (KuppA), we headed over to Terminal 21 for a toilet break, opps!

There are 2 parts of the complex: the retail complex which has a total of 9 stories.The Grande Centre Point Hotel & Residence form the next complex. An ideal location to stay for holidays :)

Terminal 21 is a one floor one concept shopping mall, where you can find streets from Rome, Paris, Tokyo, London etc. This mall also has the longest escalator in Thailand of 36m.

Marketing by Air Asia on Xi'An, home to the Terracotta Army. This was part of their marketing campaign, where AirAsia will launch daily flights from BKK to Xi'an. Basically, you just need to take a snapshot of yourself with the Terracotta warrior & send it across to AirAsia, to be one of the lucky winners.

Went ahead to take the pictures, but didn't join in the contest since I don't stand a chance of winning. 

Terminal 21

Sukhumvit Road, Watthana

Bangkok, Thailand

Nearest BTS: Asoke

The night market along one of the BTS station. I have found a couple markets in other areas, can't wait to check out on the next trip!

 

Last meal in BKK before we leave for the airport.

 A big hoola when we were checking in at the airport. As we traveled in a big group, there were lots of luggage. The ground staff of Tiger Airways didn't allow us to check in all together & insisted we check in based on our flight details (we had different bookings). As such, it was a mad rush to sort out the luggage, so we can max our baggage allowance. We met one group of kind Singaporeans who had extra allowance and allowed us to piggy-back on it. I didn't manage to get their names, but thank you so much for your help! I was really frustrated at that time cuz the ground staff who served us was rather blur & the weight (of baggage) that we recorded were different from hers, yet she couldn't explain why her recording was wrong. In the end, after almost 1hour of hassle with them, we had to pay for almost 10kg of extra baggage (which thinking back, it could have been their mistake since they couldn't account for it!)! Bad experience with Tiger & if you were to ask me, I doubt I'll travel with them again. With so many budget airlines to choose, I think they really have to buck up on their service. 

Finally on-board the flight & on the way home :)

BKK Jan 2013: KuppA

I think I've bought my cafe-searching craze to Bangkok, visiting 3 cafes during my short stay. First was Roast for their mouthwatering creations, then to Mr Jones' Orphanage and bask in the childhood memories (not forgetting desserts too!). Finally, I ventured into a lesser-known area (at least to me!) in search for this place.

Before that, lunch @ Platinum Food Court first. Kway Chap with mama mee. In fact, Mama Mee (Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Flavour) took the #10 spot for Top 10 Instant Noodles of All Time (2013 edition).

While Jun & her family headed out to Chinatown for seafood, Fling & I ventured to another cafe that I located online. Initially, I had my doubts about going for it was a part of BKK that I have yet to venture before. In the end, armed with my trusty GPS on my iphone, we headed there.

After 2 wrong turns, we managed to locate the cafe successfully! Not forgetting we walked a long distance from the BTS station. We were extremely delighted when we saw the sign from afar.

Established since 1998, KuppA is recognised as an exceptional establishment among the top cafes/restaurants in Thailand. 

 

KuppA is also BKK's first dedicated coffee house serving perfect in-house roasted coffee as well as supplying fresh roasted coffee to other fine restaurants and hotels in BKK & SG too. 

 

Anyone fancy a snack/grocery shopping trip? 

 Today & Weekly specials written on chalkboard, clearly displayed at the entrance. 

Immediately, we felt under-dressed in our tops & shorts. KuppA is a casual cafe by the day and contemporary dining by night. Besides the restaurant, they have  KuppA Polo Lounge, Terrace Bar & Spa! The lounge is available for booking on private/corporate events, catering up to 200 pax.

 

Where the action takes place, behind the counter! They have a bigger kitchen at the side as well. 

 Let the feasting begins (^^)

 

 Started with our drinks - Thai Iced Tea & Fruit Punch.

 Potato Wedges to share (150THB), but unfortunately, this came after our main courses :(
 

Fling went for Crispy Duck Risotto (350THB). Though the rice grains absorbed the soak, making it flavourful, the texture tasted more like porridge. Crispy duck was so crispy that it looked like pork floss instead.

 

As usual, a cafe means ordering all-day breakfast for me! I went for pancakes (with maple syrup & mixed berry compote), topped with mushrooms (195THB plus 50THB for mushroom). Besides mushrooms, they have hams, bacon or sausages too. Each side add-on costs 50THB.  The pancakes were moist and slightly fluffy, just the type that I like :) Strongly recommended to add on the sides for variety, for it would have been too boring to eat 2 pancakes dusted with icing sugar.

 

While we enjoyed our girly session, KuppA disappoint in terms of food despite the sophisticate outlook.

 KuppA

39 Sukhumvit Soi 16

Bangkok 10110

Nearest BTS: Asoke

Tel: 66 2663 0450 1

Opening Hours: 10am till late

Sunday Brunch: Relational Goods

 

BFF has always been a fan of Group Therapy, with her numerous raves about the quality of food. Sad to say, I have yet to step foot into the cafe. When they opened a branch in the East, I just had to head there for a visit over the long weekend. This time round, I asked Win & Van along for a double date. 

On a side note, friends have been asking me about my cafe adventures. So, for the ease of scrolling through my countless entries, I've created a new label "Cafes" by the sidebar. Feel free to scroll through the related entries (^^)

 

Dressed in neutral colours, but topped it up with a splash of orange. Loving the new pair of wedges that I bought from H&M :) Best of all, it's really comfy!

 

Hidden at a corner, just next to Fei Fei Wanton noodles, this was easy to miss as it doesn't have a signboard. We drove past this & figured that this must be the place, being the only "cafe-looking" exterior in the area. Why the name "Relational Goods"? Well, it actually refers to goods that cannot be enjoyed alone. They believe that a good meal is one of them, whether one is dining with others, doing a takeaway for home or sharing it on Instagram.

 

I was told they have their own herb garden as well. 

 
With Van, the sweetest da-sao :) She's a pretty good baker too, can't wait to taste her creations! 

 Plenty of room to move around in this little cafe. In fact, I counted a grand total of 4 tables within the compound - 1 long table suitable for large groups, 2 tables suitable for groups of 2-4 and 1 small table suitable for 2 pax. 

 

Service was warm from the start :) We first sat at the long table, feeling kinda awkward. When I spotted that the side table was empty, we asked for a shift and they kindly acceded to our request, even advising us that the table is slightly higher & we may feel a tad uncomfortable. We decided to give it a go anyway, cuz of the better lighting that I can make use of for taking pictures, lol! 

 

A collection of their desserts on display. They have a small corner where you can buy packets of coffee beans/powder, tea, snacks and beer. 

A round of drinks first - hot chocolate, latte, earl grey and carrot juice. They also informed us that their famous burger was sold out for the day, much to my disappointment :( 

psst: I cant' remember the prices for all the food we ate, as Win tore up the receipt & couldn't retrieve it back from the bin.

 

Freshly baked Shepherd's Pie ($12) - minced beef sauteed with caramelized onions, carrots and cannelloni beans & topped with a generous layer of buttery mash.Food were served in old-school plates, exactly like Forty Hands. 

 

Win's order of Croque Monsieur with smoked ham, bacon and melted cheese ($9). This is one easy to make snack, which I'll be tempted to try it out at home.

 

Happy eating! 

 

Van's order of poached eggs & smoked salmon on toast with Hollandaise sauce ($13). As much as I love my salmon & poached eggs, the thick toast was a tad too much for me. 

 

Saving the best pic for the last, lol! My order of fluffy pancakes topped with blueberries (originally banana but I requested for the change) & strawberries, with maple syrup by the side ($9.50). I wanted to order something different from my usual brunch set & decided on this.

 

Can I steal my da-sao's dimples for a day? 

Love double dates, esp when I get to bully Win :P Been almost 6 years since I've known him from the moment I stepped into Hall 3. 

Candid shot, lol!

 

Please move to Punggol quick! Then we can have our weekly outings :)  

Relational Goods

29 Everitt Road 

Singapore 428576

Tel: 64404282

Opening Hours: 7.30am till 6pm (Tues-Fri), 9am till 6pm (Sat-Sun). Closed on Mondays.